A Birmingham cathedral has shut its doors in the wake of the Manchester bomb attack - after staff said they could not guarantee public safety.

St Philip’s Cathedral, on Colmore Row, announced the unprecedented closure in a statement on their website on Wednesday.

It is the first time the cathedral has closed in response to a threat level.

They confirmed the ‘difficult’ decision had been taken after the devastating arena attack and NOT in response to any specific threat on Birmingham.

A prayer station has instead been set up outside the cathedral.

The cathedral pictured on Wednesday

A spokesperson told the Birmingham Mail the decision had “not been taken lightly”.

“We are aware of the image closed doors on a church may give,” Anna Pitt, Director of Resources at the cathedral said.

“We have never closed in response to a threat level being increased before.

“But as it stands we do not have the confidence the building is as secure as we would like it to be.

“We are hopeful we can implement additional security over the next 24 hours and the cathedral will reopen tomorrow.”

General view of cathedral

The cathedral confirmed their daily prayer service would still be held at 5.45pm today - though the service will be held outside.

A statement from Revd Canon Nigel Hand, Acting Dean, read: “In these difficult and testing times, we are bringing to bear certain Cathedral policies, which have been developed under close partnership with our colleagues in the Counter Terrorism Unit.

“As such, we have taken the difficult decision to close Birmingham Cathedral to the general public for the next 24 hours (subject to review).

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“At this time, we are committed to the safety and security of our congregations, visitors, staff and the general public. Cathedral clergy and staff remain committed to ministering to our local community, and we will, as always seek ways to do so.

“Our prayers remain with all those individuals and their families whose lives have been touched by acts of terrorism, in Manchester and across the globe.”

The announcement came just hours after the Prime Minister issued an ominous warning that further attacks ‘may be imminent’.